Item a Week Challenge!

Did you know that food pantries are in need of supplies more than ever during the summer months?  When children are home from school all day all summer long, food and toiletries tend to get used up quite fast.  Want an easy way to get involved?  Consider joining the Item a Week Challenge!

The Item a Week Challenge is a facebook group that encourages you to buy one item each week at the grocery store and donate that item to your local food pantry.  It's a great way to make an impact on your local community and your very own neighbors benefit!  Just think of the impact we could make if we all  bought one item a week!

My husband and I buy one item every time we go shopping for groceries.  Sometimes the item we purchase is toothpaste, sometimes deodorant, or feminine products, baby wipes, or toilet paper.  All of which are in high demand because those items cannot be purchased with food stamps (Bridge cards).

We've got our friends and families involved and it's awesome to see the amount of items that accumulate to be donated.  Every few months, we take a trip as a family and drop off the items to our local food pantry.  Everyone can make a difference and the Item a Week Challenge is an easy way to do it!

If you're on facebook, consider searching for the Item a Week Challenge and join our group!  We'd love to hear what you think of the idea and how it works for you!  Got additional ideas?  Post them!

If you need help finding your local food pantry or would like a list of items of which food pantries are most in need, consider calling 2-1-1 or go to www.accessofwestmichigan.org.